Ukraine has accused Russia of adding depleted uranium to its missile warheads to target Kyiv’s assets. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says it has recovered a Russian air-to-air missile armed with depleted uranium warheads.

The SBU team detected elevated radiation levels from the R-60 air-to-air missile mounted on a modified Geran-2 strike drone used by Russia. Authorities claim it was used during an attack by Russia on the Chernihiv region on the night of April 7, 2026.

The authorities claim that the source of the radiation was the use of depleted uranium projectiles, specifically Uranium-235 and Uranium-238, in the missile. Depleted uranium is a by-product of the uranium enrichment process, and it is approximately 2.5 times denser than steel. The extreme density of depleted uranium makes it an efficient tool for piercing through the hard armor of objects on the battlefield.

Ukraine finds depleted uranium in Russian missile warhead

The depleted uranium is a toxic heavy metal, and it has been used in munitions designed to penetrate armor plate for ages; alternatively, it has also been used to toughen up military vehicles such as tanks.

According to the IAEA, the radiological risk to humans and the environment is not significant where depleted uranium is observed in the form of localized environmental contamination from small particles resulting from impacts. However, there is a potential risk of radiation effects for individuals who come into direct contact with fragments or complete portions of depleted uranium ammunition.

Further investigation and warning issued to public

According to a press release from the Security Service, a radiation survey was conducted in the area, during which specialists recorded a radiation level of 12 micro-Sieverts per hour. This level is much higher than the natural background radiation and even poses a potential threat to human health.

The SBU authorities, alongside the State Emergency Service and the armed forces, transported the radioactive missile’s warhead to a radioactive waste storage facility. The press release goes on to add that lab analysis of the sample confirmed that it contained components made from depleted uranium, including the isotopes Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.

“Given the toxic and radioactive nature of depleted uranium, citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution when encountering debris from UAVs, missiles, or other munitions. Damaged or burned munitions present the greatest danger, as they may release radioactive dust hazardous to both people and the environment,” the press release by SBU warns Ukrainian citizens.

Ukraine has launched a pre-trial investigation into the incident and is seeking to bring the matter before international courts. Russia has not yet issued any statements regarding this claim from Kyiv.

The recent days have seen an increase in the Russia-Ukraine war, with the UN Security Council stating that it is becoming ‘deadlier by the day’. The excessive use of drones and missiles to harm civilian and military infrastructure has continued to rise. There are no signs of slowing down from both sides, and new weaponry, drones, and more are increasingly being used for more precise and deadly attacks.